Another play with only two actors ( and a ghost ). This time is a thriller and let me tell you from the scratch, it was excellent. I am talking about “The Woman in Black” presented at Katia Dandoulaki Theater here in Athens.
About
The Woman in Black is a 1983 horror novel by Susan Hill, written in the style of a traditional Gothic novel. It has been adapted into a stage play by Stephen Mallatratt and presented in December 1987 as a low budget production for the new Christmas play in Scarborough. It turned out to be so successful that it arrived in London's West End two years later in January 1989, taking up residence at the London Fortune Theatre on 7 June that same year and is currently the second longest-running play in the West End.
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In Greece it was first introduced at 1992-93 by Alekos Alexandrakis and Danis Katranidis at Theater Ilisia and presented again by Danis Katranidis and George Kentros at Theater Meli at 2007 -08.
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Storyline ( without spoilers )
The story is about Arthur Kipps a retired solicitor and the horrors he lived at Eel Marsh House when he had to examine the documents of a recently deceased client Mrs. Alice Drablow. Mallatratt's version sees Arthur rehearsing the story he wrote with an actor in an attempt to perform it to family and friends, which allows him to relive the haunting of Eel Marsh House as a play within a play.
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This is a very clever trick which allows two actors replay to whole story. And of course we have the appearance of the Woman in Black which is a ghost and whenever people see her bad and scary things happen. I won’t tell you more . Go and see the play.
Cast
As I already told you , we have only two actors. Konstantinos Aspiotis plays the unnamed actor that Mr Kipps ( Nikos Kouris ) hires to help him perform his story. So the actor plays Kipps and Kipps plays all the other roles in this play within a play. Actually, we have a third actor playing the ghost, but I have no info on her. Guess is a junior actor that gathers experience.
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Cast:
Unnaned Actor : Konstantinos Aspiotis (right)
Arthur Kipps : Nikos Kouris (left)
Translation - Direction: Nikorestis Chaniotakis
Sets: Mairy Tsagkari
Costumes : Vasiliki Syrma
Lights: Leftheris Paulopoulos
Theater Katia Dandoulaki is at Ag. Meletiou 61A st.
Excellent Storytelling
It was an awesome show and I strongly recommend it. For two hours you dive into a gothic atmosphere with the help of the outstanding performances, lights and sound effects. Aspiotis is probably the best actor of his generation and I have seen everything he did for the last 3 years. Just great.
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I was amazed on how two people could tell such a story. It was like being there. At the marshes that extended as far as the eye could see. The isolated house. The cold, dusty rooms. The noises you heard and knew that she made them. The cemetery with only one grave and a huge cross that stood there for more than fifty years. The carriage and horses. You could hear the horses and the bumpy road. The only road and when the tide has high there was no escaping the house. You could feel the cold , the fog , the rain. And you could feel her. She didn’t appear much, but when she did you could feel the shivers down your spine. And her terrifying secret.
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Would you recommend it? – YES
Would you see it again? – YES
Τρομερή ατμόσφαιρα και ερμηνείες! Μπράβο για το αφιέρωμα!
Ευχαριστω . Να εισαι καλα . :)
Yo...got u..good post👍👍👍
Great. Nice meeting you. It's a small world isn't it ??? :)
I like horror, thriller and mystery. I wish if I were present and enjoy the drama with you. But on the stage how they presented the horrible incidents as we see in a horror movie?? It's very tough to do these on stage.
They didn't. You did! In your imagination. And this why it was so powerful.
It was a good reply..
:)
You made me curious.. I will pay a visit..thanks!
Do by all means. And tell what you thought.
being an actor is not an easy thing, expertise is needed, must be able to express the dialogue just like in the real world. an actor is a great man who is able to express a fairy-tale world into a real world.
Yes , you're right. I have great respect for good actors.
Δε έπρεπε να λέγετε η γυναίκα με τα μαύρα.. έπρεπε σελήνη πάει φεγαρρο.. :pppp
H γυναικα με τα μαυρα δεν εκτιμα το χιουμορ... Προσεχε τα βραδια ... :)
χαχαχαχαχαχα!!!!!!!!!
I remember Aspiotis in his early steps in acting, I saw him on the TV series 504 km north of Athens, he was a gay young man there and his performance was good. Of course the theatre experience is different and he has certainly evolved over the years.
I haven't seen TV for ages ... Last series I saw must have been Para Pente ...
He is really evolving year by year. And tries different things.
I first saw him in Clockwork Orange and he was phenomenal .
The series was on the time I was in high school (some 12 years back).
You are so lucky in Athens, you have all these plays to choose from. Where I live we must wait for the summer festival if we want to see something worthwhile.
Athens has a "theater culture". People actually go out to see plays.
You could hop over to Thessaloniki if there is something really good.
That means Aspiotis is a well known actor.
Yes, he is.
Very fascinating content of the play. The game of talented actors makes spectators to be participants of events. I had an irresistible desire to see this game. Thank you.
There was a movie with the guy that plays Harry Potter. But I prefer theater any time of the day.
Do you mean Daniel Radcliffe? I love Harry Potter. The theater is excellent, but sometimes, because of the lack of opportunity to see the desired game, I prefer to watch the movie. And intends to visit the plays recommended by you, whether at home or elsewhere.
Yes , that one. I didn't know the spelling and I was in a harry. :)
Thank you.
Damn, your posts make me miss Athens everytime, Ilias!! And think about wandering around in the Plaka and enjoying a retsina on a hot night. My wanderlust is itching!! :)
Unfollow me , because I see you on a plane sooner than later. :)